Light with increased visibility and flexible mounting system

ABSTRACT

A light device includes a light engine. A plurality of petals extends radially outward from the light engine. A trim is disposed over the petals and light engine. An installation card is disposed between the trim and the petals and includes an elongated opening. A strap extends through the elongated opening of the installation card. A light-emitting diode is connected to the light engine. A support component is formed on a surface of the petals. The strap includes a hook surface and a loop surface opposite the hook surface. The installation card includes a second elongated opening formed near an edge of the installation card and a third opening formed in a central region of the installation card. A plurality of straps includes a width of the straps being less than a width of the elongated opening. The plurality of straps includes a zip tie.

CLAIM OF DOMESTIC PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/200,312, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,573,644, filed Jul. 1, 2016,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/797,841, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,388,968, filed Mar. 12, 2013, whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The disclosure relates generally to lighting products, and,specifically, to a light with increased visibility and a flexiblemounting system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People use bicycles as an inexpensive means of transportation. Bicyclesenable a person to get from point A to point B under the power of thebicycle rider. Bicycles also provide a source of exercise andentertainment. Cyclists face safety issues whether riding fortransportation, fun, or exercise. Riders are exposed on bicycles andusually ejected from the bicycle in an accident, leaving the cyclistvulnerable to resulting injuries. The only guaranteed way a cyclist canavoid injury resulting from an accident is to avoid accidentsaltogether. Visibility is critical to avoiding accidents. People ridingbicycles need to be able to see to ride safely and avoid objects in thepath of the bicycle. Bicycle riders also need to be seen by othercyclists, pedestrians, and drivers so that other people can avoidhitting the riders.

As the sun sets, visibility declines for cyclists, pedestrians, anddrivers alike, increasing the chance that an obstacle or cyclist mightgo unseen. Lighting plays a critical role in bicycle safety after dusk.Cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers need assistance to see obstacles andother travelers on the road at night. Cyclists and pedestrians, inparticular, need to be seen by drivers to prevent dangerouscircumstances leading to accident and injury.

Many cyclists and pedestrians refuse to use existing lights. Some peoplesee a bicycle as a form of expression and refuse to use ugly or boringlights for aesthetic reasons. Others refuse to use lights due to theexpense and hassle of installation and removal of the bicycle light.Nobody wants to spend 10 minutes mounting a light for a 5 minute ride.These barriers preventing people from using lights on a bicycle impedethe safe use of a bicycle for transportation and enjoyment by limitingthe use of lights. A need exists for a bicycle light with improved easeof installation, flexibility of use, and aesthetics to increase lightuse by cyclists and improve bicycle safety.

Even when riders do use bicycle lights, existing lights for cyclists andpedestrians provide only a small lighted area for automobile drivers tosee, usually just the size of the light bulb or light engine used. Thelights provide minimal visibility of cyclists to automobile drivers. Theless visible a cyclist is to an automobile driver, the less likely adriver is to discern a pedestrian or cyclist when approaching in thedark. A need exists for a light that improves visibility of cyclists andpedestrians to nearby automobile drivers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front side of a lighting device having increasedvisibility and improved ease of installation;

FIG. 2 illustrates a back side of a lighting device having increasedvisibility and improved ease of installation;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a lighting device having improvedvisibility and ease of installation;

FIG. 4 illustrates petals of a lighting device cut from a piece ofcloth;

FIG. 5 illustrates an installation card used to mount a lighting devicewith improved ease of installation;

FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate a strap for use with the installation card usedto mount a lighting device with improved ease of installation;

FIGS. 7a-7c illustrate an installation card attached to a horizontal barusing straps to mount a lighting device;

FIGS. 8a-8c illustrate an installation card attached to a vertical barusing straps to mount a lighting device;

FIGS. 9a-9c illustrate the installation card mounted to a flat surfaceusing a screw or hook to mount a lighting device;

FIG. 10 illustrates a personal lighting device mounted to a bicycle;

FIGS. 11a-11g illustrate mounting a base to bicycle in a second lightdevice embodiment;

FIGS. 12a-12b illustrate a battery housing for the second light deviceembodiment;

FIGS. 13a-13c illustrate rotating the battery housing relative to thebase to adjust the angle of the second light device embodiment;

FIGS. 14a-14h illustrate making the second light device embodiment basedon the battery housing; and

FIG. 15 illustrates the second light device embodiment installed on abicycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of one or more example embodiments are described in thefollowing disclosure with reference to the Figures, in which likenumerals represent the same or similar elements. While the describedexample embodiments include the best mode, it will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that it is intended to cover alternatives,modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit andscope of the invention as set forth and defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents as supported by the following disclosure anddrawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of personal lighting device 100 in theshape of a flower. Lighting device 100 includes a light engine 102 in acentral location of lighting device 100. Light engine 102 is round inshape, but other shapes such as triangular, square, elliptical, orpolygonal are envisioned. Light engine 102 has a plastic casing butcould also be metal, rubber, or other moldable material to providesupport and protect light engine 102. The top surface of light engine102 is covered by lens 104 in the center of light engine 102. Lens 104is a translucent or transparent material shaped to optically focus ordisperse light from light engine 102. Lens 104 is disposed overlight-emitting diodes (LEDs) 106 of light engine 102. Light engine 102emits light and can be configured to use various colors, with white andred light being common when mounting the lighting device to the front orrear of a bicycle. Additional colors and combinations may be used toincrease visibility or alter aesthetics of light device 100. Lightengine 102 may provide flashing, intermittent, or constant light,depending on the selected light setting.

Light engine 102 is mounted in the center of stamens 108 and petals 110of lighting device 100 so that stamens 108 and petals 110 surround aperipheral region of light engine 102. Light engine 102 occupies thecentral position where a pistil would be located in a flower.Alternatively, light engine 102 can emit light from LEDs disposed on theends of stamens 108 or in between petals 110 to provide increasedvisibility. Petals 110 and stamens 108 can be made of cloth, rubber,plastic, metal, or any other material that provides structure for thetrim and can be illuminated by light engine 102. Stamens 108 and petals110 extend radially outward from light engine 102 to form a circularshape. Petals can range in number and orientation from a single,continuous petal 110 that surrounds or partially surrounds light engine102 to multiple petals 110 that surround or partially surround lightengine 102. Petals 110 and stamens 108 provide additional surface areafor illumination by and reflection of light generated by light engine102 to increase visibility of lighting device 100 by providing a large,lighted surface area on lighting device 100. A continuous, solid trimcan also surround light engine 102 using a single petal to provideadditional surface area for illumination. In one embodiment, petals 110or stamens 108 are made from a reflective material so that light fromsources other than light engine 102 is reflected to increase visibilityof lighting device 100.

Light engine 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as having an LED light source.Other light sources can be used in place of LEDs 106 includingflorescent, halogen, or filament light bulbs. Light engine 102 caninclude a single light source, or multiple light sources such as thefour LEDs shown in FIG. 1. LEDs 106 emit light that shines through lens104 and illuminates the surroundings, such as a road or sidewalk arounda bicycle, to increase visibility of obstacles and hazards for the user.LEDs 106 also illuminate petals 110 or stamens 108 and provide a litsurface to increase visibility of the lighting device to other cyclistsand drivers.

FIG. 2 illustrates the rear of lighting device 100. Personal lightingdevice 100 includes installation card 120 mounted between trim 122 andpetals 110 to provide a mounting surface for personal lighting device100. The exterior portion of trim 122 is shaped like the leaves beneatha flower, or a sepal. Alternatively, trim 122 can include a flat surfaceto provide an improved mounting surface. In one embodiment, installationcard 120 is used instead of trim 122, or the two are integrated into onepiece. Installation card 120 is made of plastic, rubber, metal, or othermaterials to provide structural support for openings resulting in easeof installation. Trim 122 includes surface 124 formed in a bell shape.Trim 122 and surface 124 are made from plastic, rubber, metal, or othermoldable materials. Surface 124 has a flat central area to provide amating surface for cap 126. Cap 126 is a nut with threading on theinside surface to accept a screw and fasten the components of lightingdevice 100 together. Cap 126 is made of metal or a similarly rigidmaterial to provide strength when holding a screw and to press againsttrim 122. Cap 126 can be plastic or metallic and holds a screw passingthrough the center of lighting device 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of lighting device 100 along line128. Cap or nut 126 receives screw 130 to fasten components of lightingdevice 100 together. Screw 130 is inserted through base 132 of lightengine 102 with the head of screw 130 pressing against base 132. Lightengine 102 is affixed to base 132 using tabs of base 132 inserted intoslots in light engine 102 designed to mate with tabs. After tabs of base132 are inserted into light engine 102, light engine 102 is twistedrelative to base 132 to lock light engine 102 in place relative to base132. Screw 130 extends through base 132, flange 134, installation card120, trim 122, washer 136, tube 138, and into cap 126 pressing adjacentcomponents together. Screw 130 is twisted into cap 126 to securecomponents between cap 126 and head of screw 130. Base 132 is pressedinto flange 134 by screw 130 and can also be attached to flange 134 byan adhesive, as can any adjacent components of lighting device 100.Flange 134 extends downward with a stem portion or tube 138 extendingaway from flange 134 opposite base 132 and provides a path for screw 130to extend to cap 126.

FIG. 4 illustrates petals 110 cut from a piece of cloth with opening 140and support component 142 formed along a back surface of petal 110.Multiple petals 110 or stamens 108 can be cut from a single piece ofcloth with an open center 140 so that petals 110 are connected. Forexample, petals 110 are cut from a piece of cloth with petals 110meeting at a base portion 144 of the cloth to form a ring with anopening 140 at the center. The open center of the ring allows lightengine 102, tube 138, screw 130, or other components of lighting device100 to pass through opening 140 of petals 110. Stamens 108 cover thebase portion of the ring of petals 110 once installed in lighting device100 so that each petal 110 appears to be an individual petal, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates installation card 120 in greater detail. In oneembodiment, installation card 120 has a width of 7.6 centimeters (cm) or3 inches, a height of 10.8 cm or 4.25 inches, and a thickness ofapproximately 1 millimeter (mm). Openings 150, 152, 154, and 156 areformed through card 120. Opening 150 is shown as being round with adiameter of approximately 7 mm with various opening sizes possible.Opening 150 formed in a central region of installation card 120 allows amounting device, such as a nail, screw, hook, strap, zip tie, or string,to pass through and fix installation card 120 to another object. Opening152 has an elongated shape parallel to the shorter edge of installationcard 120, with a height of approximately 3 mm and a flat segment with alength of approximately 13 mm. The rounded portion of opening 152 oneither end of the flat segment is circular with a diameter equal to theheight of the adjacent flat segment. The elongated shape of opening 152is configured to allow a fixing mechanism such as a string, strap, orzip tie to fit through opening 152 and maintain a stable fit.

Opening 154 has an elongated shape, with the elongated side beingparallel to the longer edge of installation card 120. Opening 154 has aheight of approximately 3 mm while the elongated, flat segment has alength of approximately 13 mm. The rounded portion of opening 154 oneither end of the flat segment is circular with a diameter equal to theheight of the adjacent flat segment. The elongated shape of opening 154is configured to allow a fixing mechanism such as a string, strap, orzip tie to fit through opening 154 and maintain a stable fit. Opening156 is shown as being round with a diameter of approximately 13 mm withvarious opening sizes possible. Opening 156 allows tube 138 and screw130 to pass through opening 156 and fix installation card 120 tolighting device 100. Installation card 120 provides multiple mountingoptions to increase ease of installation of lighting device 100.

FIG. 6a illustrates strap 160 for fastening lighting device 100 to abicycle or other object using installation card 120. Strap 160 has awidth less than the length of openings 152 or 154 so that strap 160 canpass through opening 152 and 154. Strap 160 is approximately 20 cm longand 1.3 cm wide, corresponding to the 1.3 cm length of the flat segmentof openings 152 and 154. Strap 160 has opening 162 formed in tailportion 164. Tail portion 164 is approximately 2 cm wide at the widestpoint. Opening 162 of tail portion 164 is approximately 1.3 cm long and3 mm wide to allow head portion 166 to pass through opening 162. Headportion 166 is approximately 10 mm across the widest point and 7 mmacross at the narrowest point.

In FIG. 6a , Strap 160 uses a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro® toform a loop for ease of installation and removal of lighting device 100.Other fasteners could also function equally well, such as snaps,belt-style hook and holes, zip ties, string, rope, or button closures,for example. FIG. 6b shows a side view of strap 160. Upper surface 170includes cloth loops over the length of strap 160. The cloth loops areconfigured to receive hooks from lower surface 172. When hooks fromlower surface 172 are pressed against the cloth loops of surface 170,the two sides provide adhesion to hold surfaces 170 and 172 of strap 160together.

FIG. 6c shows strap 160 bent into a circle with surface 170 facingoutward and surface 172 facing inward. The strap also works if thesurfaces are reversed with surface 170 facing inward and surface 172facing outward. Head portion 166 is inserted through slot or opening 162of tail portion 164 from FIG. 6a . The desired length of strap 160 ispulled through opening 162 of tail portion 164 to adjust the diameter ofthe circular shape formed by strap 160. As more length of strap 160 ispulled through opening 162, the diameter of the circle gets smaller.Surface 172 of head portion 166 and the length of strap 160 pulledthrough opening 162 is pressed against surface 170 of strap 160 adjacentto opening 162 and extending away from tail portion 164. Surface 170 ofstrap 160 presses against surface 172 of tail portion 164 betweenopening 162 and the tip of tail portion 164. The contact betweensurfaces 170 and 172 provides adhesion for fast and easy installationand removal of installation card 120 and lighting device 100.

In FIG. 7a , installation card 120 is mounted to bar 180 using straps160. Straps 160 pass through opening 152 at the top of card 120 andaround horizontal bar 180. Strap 160 has head portion 166 pulled throughopening 162 of tail portion 164 until strap 160 is relatively snugaround bar 180. Installation card 120 hangs below bar 180 with openings154 and 150 unoccupied. Lighting device 100 is omitted from FIG. 7a toillustrate the configuration of card 120. The round shape of opening 156allows tube 138 and screw 130 to pass through opening 156 for attachinginstallation card 120 to lighting device 100. Installation card 120provides multiple mounting options to increase ease of installation andremoval of lighting device 100.

FIG. 7b shows a cross section of installation card 120 and bar 180. Bar180 is depicted as round, although straps 160 attach to any shape of bargiven the flexibility of strap 160. Strap 160 passes throughinstallation card 120 at opening 152 and follows a contour of bar 180 toform a closed loop around the bar. Strap 160 has head portion 166 pulledthrough opening 162 of tail portion 164 until strap 160 is relativelysnug around bar 180. Surfaces 172 and 170 are pressed together toprovide adhesion and maintain the loop formed by strap 160 around bar180. Other types of straps can be used in place of hook and loop strap160, such as straps using snaps, belt-style hook and holes, zip ties,string, rope, or button closures, for example. Installation card 120hangs below bar 180 with openings 154 and 150 unoccupied. Card 120supports lighting device 100 and provides multiple mounting options toincrease ease of installation and removal of lighting device 100.

FIG. 7c illustrates lighting device 100 mounted to horizontal bar 180using installation card 120. Strap 160 passes through installation card120 and follows a contour of bar 180 to form a closed loop. Installationcard 120 is integrated into lighting device 100 and pressed betweenpetals 110 and trim 122. Card 120 has petals 110, stamens 108, lightengine 102, and the head of screw 130 on one side of the card while trim122, washer 136, and cap 126 are on the opposite side of the card. Tube138 and screw 130 pass through opening 156 of card 120 and hold card 120in place on light device 100. Installation card 120 provides a fast andeasy method of installing lighting device 100 on horizontal bar 180. Inone embodiment, horizontal bar 180 is part of a handlebar of a bicycle.

FIGS. 8a-8c show installation card 120 attached to a vertical bar 182 tomount lighting device 100. In FIG. 8a , strap 160 passes throughopenings 154 along the side edges of installation card 120 and aroundvertical bar 182. Strap 160 has head portion 166 pulled through opening162 of tail portion 164 until strap 160 is snug around bar 180. Strap160 is pulled tight to provide enough support to prevent installationcard 120 from sliding down bar 182. Other types of straps 160 can beused in place of the hook and loop strap, such as straps using snaps,belt-style hook and holes, zip ties, string, rope, or button closures,for example. FIG. 8b illustrates installation card 120 attached tovertical bar 182 without lighting device 100. Installation card isparallel to bar 182 when no pressure is applied to bend installationcard 120. In one embodiment, lighting device 100 has little depth behindinstallation card 120 so that installation card 120 can remainsubstantially parallel to bar 182 while lighting device 100 is mounted.

FIG. 8c illustrates installation card 120 attaching lighting device 100to vertical bar 182. Installation card 120 is flexible so that theportion of card 120 with opening 156 can move away from bar 182 whilestrap 160 holds the portion of card 120 near openings 154 close to oragainst bar 182. When lighting device 100 is mounted to vertical bar 182using installation card 120, the flexibility of card 120 increases thepressure exerted by strap 160 against bar 182 and increases tension instrap 160. Trim 122 extends between installation card 120 and bar 182,bending installation card 120 away from bar 182 to create space forlighting device 100. Lighting device 100 is mounted by card 120. Theround shape of opening 156 allows tube 138 and screw 130 to pass throughopening 156 and fix installation card 120 to lighting device 100.Installation card 120 can be bent to varying degrees to mount lightingdevice 100 so that light engine 102 is at various angles to bar 182.Installation card 120 provides multiple mounting options to increaseease of installation and removal of lighting device 100.

FIGS. 9a-9c illustrate alternative methods of mounting installation card120 and lighting device 100. Card 120 includes opening 150 in a centralarea of the top side of card 120, between openings 152. Opening 150 hasa round shape, although other opening shapes are also effective. Opening150 provides space to fix card 120 to a surface. In FIGS. 9a and 9b ,screw 190 is inserted through opening 150 and screwed into a mountingsurface, such as bar 180, bar 182, wood, drywall, a rack, or any othersurface capable of receiving a screw. Screw 190 can have a head portionthat is larger than opening 150, so that screw 190 must be removed inorder to remove installation card 120 and lighting device 100. Screw 190can also have a head portion slightly smaller than opening 150, so thatcard 120 can be easily removed and installed without removing screw 190.Other fasteners such as nails and hooks are also effective in mountingcard 120 through opening 150. For example, FIG. 9c shows hook 192 passedthrough opening 150 to mount installation card 120. Hook 192 allowsinstallation card 120 to swing freely to make room for lighting device100 when hook 192 is close to a wall, bar, or other surface. Hook 192and installation card 120 provide increased ease of installation andremoval of lighting device 100.

FIG. 10 illustrates lighting device 100 mounted to bicycle 200. Lightengine 102 and lens 104 face forward relative to bicycle 200 to providethe rider with visibility in the direction of travel and enable othertraffic to see the rider. Petals 110 extend radially outward from lightengine 102 and forward beyond the level of lens 104. Light engine 102illuminates petals 110 to increase the visibility of bicycle 200 todrivers, pedestrians, and other bicyclists. Straps 160 are behindlighting device 100 and attach to installation card 120 to affixlighting device 100 to bicycle 200.

Lighting device 100 provides increased safety for bicycle riders andother traffic by increasing illuminated surface area of lighting device100 to increase visibility of the rider to other drivers and cyclists.Lighting device 100 provides an aesthetically enticing light mechanismto encourage cyclists to use a light. Thus, lighting device 100increases bicycle safety by increasing light usage by cyclists.Additionally, installation card 120 increases ease of installation andremoval of lighting device 100 by providing a fast and simple mechanismto attach lighting device 100 to a bicycle. Multiple openings oninstallation card 120 enable users to quickly mount lighting device 100on a variety of bars, racks, walls, or other surfaces to improve ease ofinstallation and removal.

FIGS. 11a-11g illustrate a base 300 for mounting lighting devicessimilar to personal lighting device 100 to a bicycle handlebar orbasket. FIG. 11a illustrates the top side of base 300. Base 300 isconfigured to be mounted to a handlebar or basket, with a lightingdevice attached to the base before or after mounting the base. Base 300is formed from a high durometer silicone, another plastic material,metal, or other appropriate materials. Base 300 is formed by molding, 3Dprinting, or other suitable manufacturing processes.

A top face of base 300 includes a ridge 302 and two sloped surfaces 304extending from the ridge. Ridge 302 is centrally located and designed tooperate as a fulcrum when adjusting the angle of an attached lightingdevice. The lighting device pivots on ridge 302 when a force is appliedto the lighting device away from the ridge. The light device contacts aface 304 at the furthest extent of the angle adjustment. A side surface306 of base 300 extends from sloped surfaces 304 at the top of base 300to a lip 308 at the bottom of the base. Side surface 306 isapproximately cylindrical, or approximates a conic section, tocorrespond to an approximate circle formed by surfaces 304 in plan view.In other embodiments, base 300 is formed in the shape of a square,rectangle, hexagon, or other shape, with surfaces 304 and 306 shapedaccordingly. Lip 308 extends outward from side surface 306 around base300.

Base 300 includes a connector 320 formed near the center of the base forattachment of a lighting device similar to lighting device 100.Connector 320 includes an opening through base 300 with concave plate324 in the opening coupled to base 300 by flex pieces 322. The shorterends of concave plate 324 are coupled to the remainder of base 300 byflex pieces 322, while space remains between the longer sides of concaveplate 324 and the rest of base 300. Concave plate 324 is formed in theshape of an arc. The arc of concave plate 324 extends approximatelyperpendicular to ridge 320. As a lighting device is pivoted on ridge 302to change the angle of the lighting device, an arced convex plate of thelighting device slides along the arc of concave plate 324.

One or more tabs 326 are formed on concave plate 324. Tabs 326 areformed as strips of material on concave plate 324 perpendicular to thearc of concave plate 324 that extend upward from the top surface ofconcave plate 324. In other embodiments, tabs 326 are small circular orpolygonal nubs formed on concave plate 324. Concave plate 324 interfaceswith a similarly arc-shaped convex plate of a subsequently attachedlight device. As the lighting device is pivoted on ridge 302 to changethe angle of the lighting device, tabs 326 click into cavities of theconvex plate to maintain the lighting device at a desired angle. Tabs326 are rounded in the dimension along the arc of concave plate 324 toallow the tabs to be pushed out of the cavities by a force along the arcof concave plate 324.

Connector 320 includes arced flanges 330 on internal sidewalls of theconnector opening. A flange 330 is formed in the opening of connector320 on two opposite sides of concave plate 324. Flanges 330 are formedin an arc shape similar to concave plate 324. Flanges 330 are designedto interface with clips of the lighting device that are inserted intoconnector 320 between flanges 330 and concave plate 324. The arc offlanges 330 allows the clips of the lighting device to stay attached tothe flanges of base 300 as the angle of the lighting device is modified.Cut-outs 332 accommodate the clips of the lighting device as thelighting device is rotated farther from center.

FIG. 11b illustrates the bottom of base 300. Base 300 includes a wafflepattern 334 forming a plurality of cavities 336. Waffle pattern 334 is aportion of the base 300 material formed into a plurality ofperpendicular stripes under sloped surfaces 304. A bottom ring 335encloses waffle pattern 334 at the edges of base 300. Bottom surfaces ofwaffle pattern 334, bottom ring 335, and flex pieces 322 areapproximately coplanar and form the bottom surface of base 300. A ridge337 connects bottom ring 335 to lip 308. Waffle pattern 334 strengthensbase 300 while keeping the weight of the base low and reducing materialusage. Other configurations for the pattern 334 are used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, base 300 is a solid piece and does notinclude cavities 336.

Flex pieces 322 include indentations 328 at the bottom of the flexpieces, near the contact point to sidewall 306 and bottom ring 335.Indentations 328 accommodate twist-ties, zip-ties, or another attachmentmechanism by providing additional space between flex pieces 322 and thebody of base 300. FIG. 11c illustrates twist-ties 340 disposed on base300 and through indentations 328 at the bottom of flex pieces 322. Theends 340A of twist-ties 340 are inserted through the opening ofconnector 320. Each twist-tie 340 has one end 340A on each side ofconcave plate 324. A central portion 340B of each twist-tie 340 rests onthe bottom of flex-piece 322 with tie 340 in indentations 328.Indentations 328 help position twist-ties 340 at the bottom of flexpieces 322 and allow thicker twist-ties 340 to be used. Twist-ties 340are used to attach base 300 onto a basket, handlebar, post, or othersubstrate where the usage of a lighting device is desired. Twist-ties340 are a long and thin metal cylinder coated in a plastic or rubbermaterial. Other types of ties are used in other embodiments, e.g., zipties or twist-ties with a paper coating.

FIG. 11d illustrates base support 342. Base support 342 includes nubs344 configured to align with cavities 336 on the bottom of base 300. Inone embodiment, nubs 344 are sized to create an interference fit withwaffle pattern 334. The nubs are pressed into cavities 336 to hold basesupport 342 onto the bottom of base 300 prior to installation of thebase onto a handlebar or basket. Lip 346 of base support 342 extendsover ridge 337 of base 300, and contacts lip 308 in one embodiment. Basesupport 342 is positioned between base 300 and a bicycle handlebar orbasket to dampen vibrations from the bicycle being transferred to alighting device mounted on base 300. Base support 342 is formed from asoft plastic or rubbery material to improve vibration dampening. In oneembodiment, base support 342 is formed from silicone with a hardness of50-60 on the shore type-A durometer scale.

A notch or groove 345 extends along the length of base support 342.Groove 345 is designed to increase contact area with a handlebar of abicycle, thus increasing friction between base 300 and the handlebar.Base 300 with base support 342 is placed on a handlebar with thehandlebar in groove 345 and base 300 facing the desired direction orangle for light to be emitted. Twist-ties 340 are tightened around thehandlebar. Grip between base support 342 and the handlebar keeps alighting device aimed forward relative to a bicycle, rather thanslipping down to point at the ground.

FIG. 11e illustrates base 300 being installed on a bicycle basket 348.Bicycle basket 348 includes a plurality of holes through the basket inbetween the weave pattern of the basket. Different basket embodimentsare possible, i.e., differing weave patterns or differing constructionmaterials, but base 300 is designed to be attached to substantially allbaskets. In some embodiments, twist-ties 340 may need to be punchedthrough the basket material to install base 300.

The four ends 340A of twist-ties 340 are threaded through the openingsof basket 348 and pulled through until base support 342 is contactingthe basket. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 11f , twist-ties 340 aretwisted together to attach the base to the basket. Twist-ties 340 may betwisted with each end 340A twisted around the opposite end of the sametwist-tie, or each twist-tie end may be twisted with an end of the othertwist-tie 340. FIG. 11f illustrates base 300 installed on a basket 348with the two ends 340A of a common twist-tie 340 twisted together. InFIG. 11g , base 300 is installed on a handlebar 349 with the ends 340Aof twist-ties 340 twisted with ends of the opposite twist-tie 340.Handlebar 349 is in groove 345 to increase grip of base 300 against thehandlebar.

With base 300 installed on a bicycle handlebar or basket, a lightingdevice with an attachment mechanism corresponding to connector 320 canbe installed on the bicycle by attaching the lighting device to thebase. FIG. 12a illustrates the bottom side of a battery housing 350including a connector 352 that is designed to mate with connector 320 ofbase 300. A lighting device for attachment to base 300 is formed aroundbattery housing 350 as taught below. Battery housing 350 includes a flatportion 353. The bottom of flat portion 353 presses against ridge 302 topivot battery housing 350 on base 300. Flat portion 353 presses againstsloped surfaces 304 of base 300 when battery housing 350 rotatessufficiently. A lip 354 extends around flat portion 353. In oneembodiment, battery housing 350 is formed from polypropylene or anothersimilar plastic that is molded or 3D-printed.

Heat spikes 356 are disposed on flat portion 353 around connector 352.Heat spikes 356 are used during manufacturing of the lighting device.Portions of the lighting device include openings that are disposedaround heat spikes 356, and then the ends of the heat spikes are meltedor otherwise deformed to hold the lighting device together.

Connector 352 includes a convex plate 360. Convex plate 360 includes asimilar arc shape as concave plate 324 from base 300. Cavities,indentations, or notches 362 are formed in convex plate 360. Notches 362are configured to correspond to tabs 326 on concave plate 324 of base300. Notches 362 are shaped as stripes across convex plate 360 becausetabs 326 are similar stripes. Tabs 326 fit at least partially withinnotches 362 when connector 352 is interfaced with connector 320.Connector 352 includes clips 366 extending vertically from flat portion353 at the sides of convex plate 360. Clips 366 include hooked portions368 that extend horizontally outward from the clips, i.e., away fromconvex plate 360.

Battery housing 350 is attached to base 300 by interfacing connector 352with connector 320. Clips 366 are lined up at the sides of concave plate324 and slip into the spaces between concave plate 324 and flanges 330.As clips 366 are inserted around concave plate 324, sloped top surfacesof hooked portions 368 press against sloped top surfaces of flanges 330.Hooks 368 pressing against flanges 330 apply a force against clips 366that bends the clips inward toward convex plate 360, allowing the cliphooks to travel past flanges 330. Once hooks 368 are fully past flanges330, the hooks expand out to latch onto flanges 330. Flat bottomsurfaces of hooks 368 press against flat bottom surfaces of flanges 330to hold battery housing 350 onto base 300.

The attachment between clips 366 and flanges 330 holds convex plate 360against concave plate 324, and holds tabs 326 at least partially innotches 362. Friction between notches 362 and tabs 362 reduces thelikelihood that battery housing 350 will rotate relative to base 300without sufficient force being applied by a user of the lighting device.A user applies a force to battery housing 350 to rotate the curvature ofconvex plate 360 along the curvature of concave plate 324. The forcedisplaces tabs 326 out of notches 362. Concave plate 324 moves away fromconvex plate 360 with the displacement of tabs 326 because flex plates322 allows movement of concave plate 324. Flex pieces 322 maintain aslight force of tabs 326 against convex plate 360, so that as batteryhousing 350 rotates, tabs 326 will be pressed into the next adjacentnotches 362 encountered by the force of flex pieces 322. Hooks 368 ofclips 366 include an arc shape similar to the arc of concave plate 324,flanges 330, and convex plate 360, so that hooks 368 maintain goodcontact with flanges 330 at a wide range of angles between batteryhousing 350 and base 300.

FIG. 12b illustrates the top side of battery housing 350. Batteryhousing 350 includes battery holders 380. Battery holders 380 have acurved bottom surface 382 configured to receive a cylindrical battery,such as AA or AAA type batteries. Battery housing 350 includes threebattery holders 380 that each hold an end of two different batteries.Battery holders 380 are oriented in a triangle so that three batteriescan be disposed in the battery holders and connected in series byelectrical contacts. Backing 381 holds the electrical contacts in placeover battery holder 380 by pressure applied by the contact between thebacking and battery holder. In other embodiments, other orientations ofbattery holders 380 are used as needed for a design, i.e., differentbattery types or number of batteries are usable by changing theorientation of the battery holders. Curved battery guides 384 aredisposed between battery holders 380 to guide the batteries into theholders during installation.

Battery housing 350 has a plurality of posts 386 extending verticallyfrom flat portion 353. Posts 386 hold a reflector for guiding lightemitted by the lighting device. The reflector is inserted over thinnerportions 387 and rests on horizontal support portions 388. While threeposts 386 are illustrated, other numbers of posts are used in otherembodiments. Supports 390 strengthen posts 386 by providing a widerfootprint for contact between flat portion 353 and posts 386. LED guides392 form an outline to hold an LED light module disposed on batteryhousing 350. LED guides 392 are oriented in a square to hold a lightengine in place that has a square bottom, but LED guides 392 areconfigured as needed to accommodate any light engine used with aparticular embodiment. While the term “battery housing” is used, someembodiments do not in fact use battery housing 350 to house batteries.However, the term battery housing refers to a part having a connector352 for mounting to base 300, and having structural features for forminga lighting device around the battery housing, even if the batteryhousing does not directly physically support a battery.

FIGS. 13a-13c illustrate battery housing 350 installed on base 300.Clips 366 are engaged with flanges 330 to hold battery housing 350 onbase 300. In FIG. 13a , battery housing 350 is aimed straight, i.e.,flat portion 353 is approximately parallel to the bottom of base 300.Light emitted by the lighting device is aimed substantiallyperpendicular to a surface that base 300 is mounted on. To adjust theangle of battery housing 350 relative to base 300, and thus the angle oflight emitted, a force 395 is applied to battery housing 350. A centerarea of flat portion 353 presses against ridge 302 as a fulcrum. Flatportion 353 operates similar to a lever and the downward force 395rotates battery housing 350. The rotational force moves convex plate 360along concave plate 324, and tabs 326 rotate into adjacent notches 362.When battery housing 350 rotates sufficiently, flat portion 353 pressesagainst a sloped surface 304.

FIG. 13b illustrates a cross-section through the arc of concave plate324 and convex plate 360 from a similar angle as FIG. 13a . Convex plate360 is pressed against concave plate 324 with tabs 326 in the centralthree notches 362B, 362C, and 362D. The rotational force resulting fromforce 395 pressing flat portion 353 against ridge 302 applies a force onconvex plate 360 to the right in the illustrated view. The surfaces ofnotches 362 press downward on tabs 326, and concave plate 324 is pressedaway from convex plate 360. Flex pieces 322 allow concave plate 324 tobe pressed away from convex plate 360. As force 395 starts to rotatebattery housing 350, enough separation is eventually created betweenconcave plate 324 and convex plate 360 to fit tabs 326.

Battery housing 350 continues to rotate from force 395 until tabs 326are in the adjacent notches 362 as shown in FIG. 13c . In FIG. 13c ,battery housing is fully rotated so that the first tab 326A is in thefirst notch 362A. Notches 362 and tabs 326 keep battery housing 350 inthe position of FIG. 13c until another force is applied to batteryhousing 350. A force similar to force 395 applied on the opposite sideof battery housing 350 will rotate the battery housing back to centerand then continue rotating so that eventually tab 326C is in notch 362E.As battery housing 350 rotates relative to base 300, the arc of hook 368follows the arc of flange 330 to keep the battery housing securelyattached to base 300 via clip 366.

Three tabs 326 and five notches 362 are provided, which allows for threedifferent positions of battery housing 350 relative to base 300. Inother embodiments, more or less angular positions are provided byincreasing the number of notches 362 or decreasing the number of tabs326. For instance, using one tab 326 would allow five differentpositions because the one tab 326 could be in any of the five notches362. In some embodiments, notches 362 are provided more denselypositioned on convex plate 360 to allow a tighter degree of control onthe angle of light emitted.

Tabs 326 and notches 362 are each clicking elements. As tabs 326 arepushed into different notches 362, the tabs click into the notches. Insome embodiments, notches are formed on concave plate 324 and tabs areformed on convex plate 360. With the location of the tabs and notchesswitched, the tabs still click into the notches to securely hold batteryhousing 350 at a desired angle while still allowing the angle to bechanged. In other embodiments, different clicking elements besides tabsand notches are provided to latch in battery housing 350 at a desiredangle relative to base 300.

FIGS. 14a-14h illustrate putting together a lighting device aroundbattery housing 350 prior to attaching the battery housing to base 300.FIG. 14a shows the top of battery housing 350. Battery contacts 400 aredisposed on battery holders 380. Battery contacts 400 are formed from0.01 inch thick spring steel in one embodiment. Battery contacts 400 areshaped to be fit between battery holders 380 and backings 381 and heldin place by pressure from a battery contact pressing against a batteryholder and a backing. Batteries 402 are disposed over battery holders380 and battery guides 384. Battery contacts 400 apply a spring force onbatteries 402 to hold the batteries in place on battery housing 350.Each battery contact 400 contacts terminals of two adjacent batteries.Two of the contacts 400 connect the adjacent battery terminals together,while the third contact 400 is separated and wired to LED light engine404. Thus, the three batteries 402 are connected in series betweenterminals of light engine 404 by contacts 400.

Light engine 404 includes a square base that is set within LED guides392 for alignment. Light engine 404 includes one or more LEDs 405 thatemit the light in the final lighting product. In some embodiments, lightengine 404 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with conductive tracesand circuit components for routing and conditioning electricity frombatteries 402. The PCB may form the square base of light engine 404.Light engine 404 is similar to light engine 102 in some embodiments.

Reflector 406 is disposed over light engine 404 and around LEDs 405.Reflector 406 is formed from polypropylene with a chrome finish toreflect light. In other embodiments, reflector 406 is formed from asolid metal material and may operate as a heatsink for light engine 404.Reflector 406 includes openings that LEDs 405 go into. The openings ofreflector 406 support LEDs 405 against lateral movement in addition toreflecting light from the LEDs in the desired direction. Reflector 406includes arms 410 that hold the reflector in position on posts 386. Thinportions 387 of posts 386 are inserted through openings of arms 410, andarms 410 rest on horizontal support portions 388. Arms 410 around thinportions 387 of posts 386 keep reflector 406 aligned without applyingsignificant pressure against LEDs 405.

In FIG. 14b , a top housing 420 and lens 440 are disposed over andaround battery housing 350. Top housing 420 is formed from silicone witha hardness of 50-60 on the shore type-A durometer scale in oneembodiment. In some embodiments, top housing 420 is semi-transparent toallow light from LEDs 405 to shine through and light up the top housing.The material of top housing 420 stretches slightly to extend aroundbattery housing 350 and be held in place by lip 354. Together, tophousing 420 and battery housing 350 envelop the internal components ofthe lighting device. Battery housing 350 is a bottom housing relative totop housing 420. Top housing 420 is stretched to allow lens 440 to beinstalled in an opening at the center of the top housing. In oneembodiment, lens 440 is formed from a clear acrylic. Any material isused in other embodiments to condition light emitted by LEDs 405 asdesired.

FIG. 14c illustrates a cross-sectional view of top housing 420 and lens440 installed on battery housing 350. Top housing 420 includes aninternal trench or slit 422 that fits around lip 354 of battery housing350. Top housing 420 is stretched slightly during installation onbattery housing 350 to insert lip 354 into slit 422. Slit 422 holds tophousing 420 in place on battery housing 350 by encompassing lip 354. Tophousing 420 is circular and slit 422 runs the circumference of the tophousing to fully encompass lip 354 around the circumference of batteryhousing 350. Top housing 420 is stretched again to remove the tophousing and give a user access to the parts disposed on battery housing350, e.g., to replace batteries 402 or light engine 404.

Top housing 420 includes a slit 424, similar to slit 422, for holdinglens 440 in place. Lens 440 is approximately circular and includes a lip442 around the circumference of the lens that is inserted into slit 424.Top housing 420 is deformed and stretched to allow lip 442 to beinserted into slit 424, and then the top housing returns to its originalshape to hold lip 442 between portions 424A and 424B of slit 424. Lens440 includes support 444 extending down to reflector 406. Support 444helps keep lens 440 and top housing 420 in position over battery housing350. Support 444 helps maintain the shape of top housing 420 whendownward pressure is received. Force on the top of the lighting deviceis transferred through lens 440 by support 444 to reflector 406 andpillars 386 to reduce deformation of top housing 350.

FIG. 14d illustrates flower trim 450 which will be installed on thebottom of battery housing 350, over heat stakes 356 and around connector352. In one embodiment, flower trim 450 is formed from a sheet ofethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) that is cut or punched into a desiredshape. In other embodiments, trim 450 is formed similar to petals 110.Two different sizes of flower trim 450 are illustrated, a large trim450A and a small trim 450B. In other embodiments, only a single trim 450is used, or more than two sizes of trim are used together. Trim 450includes a plurality of flower petals 451 formed around the periphery ofthe trim. Petals 451 create the appearance of a flower for the lightingdevice, but other trim shapes are used in other embodiments, e.g.,points oriented outward like a sunflower or a basic shape such as acircle.

A central opening 452 of trim 450 fits around connector 352, allowingthe connector to be exposed when the trim is installed. Holes 454 areformed around opening 452. Holes 454 are positioned to be aligned withheat stakes 356. Four holes 454 are provided on two opposite sides ofopening 452 to allow trim 450 to be placed in two different rotationalpositions on the three heat stakes 356 per side. When multiple trim 450pieces are used, having additional holes 454 allows the trim pieces tobe rotated relative to each other. In one embodiment, two large trimpieces 450A are used, with each having a different set of holes 454being placed on heat stakes 356. The rotation between the two large trimpieces 450A allows the petals 451 of the back trim piece to be visiblebetween the petals of the front trim piece. In some embodiments,additional holes 454 are formed to allow additional rotationalflexibility for positioning the trim. Holes 454 may be placed closertogether to allow a higher resolution of positioning for trim 450.

FIG. 14e illustrates petal organizer 460 which will be placed on thebottom of battery housing 350 over trim 450 as a back plate to hold thetrim in place. Petal organizer 460 includes an opening 462, similar toopening 452 of trim 450, that leaves connector 352 exposed when thepetal organizer is installed on battery housing 350. Holes 464 areformed around opening 462, similar to holes 454. Holes 464 allow petalorganizer 460 to be installed on battery housing 450 with heat stakes356 extending through holes 454 and 464. Petal organizer 460 includesfingers 466 that press the petals 451 of trim 450 forward. Fingers 466pressing petals 451 forward in front of LEDs 405 increases the amount oflight from light engine 404 that hits the trim, and increase visibilityof the lighting device. In one embodiment, petal organizer 460 is formedfrom molded or 3D-printed polypropylene.

Petal organizer 460 is installed onto battery housing 350 after trim450, as illustrated in FIG. 14f . One or more pieces of trim 450 aresandwiched in between battery housing 350 and petal organizer 460. Heatstakes 356 extend through openings 454 of trim 450 and openings 464 ofpetal organizer 460. Fingers 466 of petal organizer 460 press petals 451forward, away from the viewer in the orientation of FIG. 14 f.

In FIG. 14g , heat stakes 356 are melted to create a permanent orsemi-permanent attachment of petal organizer 460 to battery housing 350.Heat stakes 356 have a slip fit with holes 454 and 464 prior to beingmelted. Heat is applied to melt heat stakes 356 after the heat stakesare inserted through holes 454 and 464. The melting of heat stakes 356creates heads 470 on the heat stakes that are wider than holes 464. Insome embodiments, heat stakes 356 are not melted, but merely softened byheating and deformed by pressure to create heads 470. Heads 470 have aninterference fit between the heat stakes and petal organizer 356 whichholds the petal organizer onto battery housing 350, with trim 450sandwiched therebetween. In some embodiments, heat stakes 386 are weldedto the back surface of petal organizer 460.

Melting of heat stakes 456 to create heads 470 finishes lighting device480, which is now ready to be installed on base 300. In someembodiments, trim 350 and petal organizer 360 are installed on the backside of battery housing 350 prior to the installation of the componentson the front side of the battery housing, e.g., batteries 402, lightengine 404, and top housing 420.

FIG. 14h illustrates the completed lighting device 480 from the front,opposite the view of FIGS. 14f-14g . Lighting device 480 is installed onbicycle 200 by orienting connector 352 toward connector 320 of base 300and pressing hooks 368 onto flanges 330. In other embodiments, lightingdevice 480 is attached to base 300 prior to installing the base ontobasket 348. FIG. 15 illustrates lighting device 480 installed on bicycle200 via basket 348.

LED light engine 404 emits light through lens 440, and also illuminatestop housing 420 and trim 450. Lighting up top housing 420 and trim 450creates a broader and more easily visible light source for bicycle 200.Trim 450 is pressed forward by petal organizer 460 to increase theamount of light that reflects off of the trim. Lighting device 480 canbe angled relative to base 300 on basket 348 by pressing on the top orbottom of the lighting device. Angling lighting device 480 is used tocompensate for the angle of basket 348 relative to the ground whileriding bicycle 200, because different baskets and different handlebarshave front sides at different angles. Lighting device 480 increasessafety and can be easily and flexibly installed on any bicycle basket orhandlebar.

While lighting device 480 is illustrated in use adding visibility to abicycle, lighting device 480 is mountable onto other vehicles, or staticobjects, using base 300. Lighting device 480 adds significantly tovisibility, making any desired object easier to detect visually. Themounting system of base 300 and ties 340 is flexible in the ways it canbe used because ties 340 can attach base 300 to any bicycle handlebar orbasket, or any other substrate that ties 340 are able to extend throughor reach around. Longer ties 340 are able to be used to mount base 300onto larger objects. Moreover, the system is flexible because concaveplate 324 and convex plate 360 allow adjustment of the angle of lightrelative to base 300.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate thatmodifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A light device, comprising: a base; a first housingattached to the base; a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed on the firsthousing; a second housing disposed over the first housing with the LEDbetween the first housing and second housing; and a trim disposed on thefirst housing or second housing, wherein the trim includes a pluralityof petals.
 2. The light device of claim 1, wherein the first housingincludes a heat spike disposed through the trim.
 3. The light device ofclaim 1, wherein the second housing includes a lens.
 4. The light deviceof claim 1, wherein the base includes a first portion of an attachmentmechanism and the first housing includes a second portion of theattachment mechanism.
 5. The light device of claim 4, wherein theattachment mechanism allows adjustment of an angle of the first housingrelative to the base.
 6. A light device, comprising: a base including afirst portion of an attachment mechanism; a first housing including asecond portion of the attachment mechanism, wherein the first housing isattached to the base by the attachment mechanism; a light-emitting diode(LED) disposed on the first housing; and a first trim disposed on thefirst housing.
 7. The light device of claim 6, wherein the first trimincludes a first plurality of petals.
 8. The light device of claim 7,further including a second trim disposed on the first housing, whereinthe second trim includes a second plurality of petals.
 9. The lightdevice of claim 8, wherein the first housing includes a heat spikedisposed through the first trim and second trim.
 10. The light device ofclaim 6, further including a second housing disposed over the firsthousing and LED.
 11. The light device of claim 6, wherein the attachmentmechanism extends through an opening in the first trim.
 12. A method ofmaking a light device, comprising: providing a base; attaching a firsthousing to the base; disposing a light-emitting diode (LED) on the firsthousing; and disposing a first trim on the first housing opposite theLED, wherein the first trim includes a first plurality of petals. 13.The method of claim 12, further including disposing a second trim overthe first housing opposite the LED, wherein the second trim includes asecond plurality of petals.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thefirst housing includes a heat spike disposed through the first trim andsecond trim.
 15. The method of claim 12, further including disposing asecond housing over the first housing and LED.
 16. The method of claim15, further including providing the second housing to include a lens.17. The light device of claim 1, wherein the trim is disposed on thefirst housing opposite the second housing, and the trim extends in frontof the second housing to allow illumination of the trim by the LED. 18.The light device of claim 6, wherein the first trim extends outward andforward from a point of attachment of the first trim to the firsthousing.
 19. The light device of claim 6, wherein the attachmentmechanism allows the housing and trim to pivot or rotate relative to thebase.
 20. The light device of claim 6, wherein the first trim isdisposed on the first housing opposite the LED and the first trimextends in front of the LED.